Control system



March 10, 1942. H. BANY I CONTROL SYSTEM Filed oct. 31,*1939 2 sheets-sheet 1 March 10, 1942. H BA'NY 2,275,88z

CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 31, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ffgz.

I nventor` :V Herman Bany,

His Att orney.

Patented Mar. 10, 1942 CONTROL SYSTEM Herman I any, Lansdowne, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 31, 1939, Serial No. 302,181

' 16 Claims.

` scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a circuit breaker control system embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of the system shown in Fg. l.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, I represents a circuit breaker which is arranged to connect a source of current 2, shown as an alternating current generator, to an alternating current load circuit 9 which is also arranged to be supplied with current from another source 4. In order to synchronize the generator 2 in case the circuit 3 is energized by the source 4 when the circuit breaker is closed, the field winding 5 of the generator 2 is not excited until after the circuit breaker I is closed to connect the generator to the load circuit 3. As shown in the drawings, the I circuit breaker i is of the well known latched-in type having a closing coil 6 which, when energized, closes the circuit breaker and a trip coil 1 which, when energized, effects the opening of `ylthe circuit breaker. Preferably the circuit breaker I is of the well known trip free type.

Any suitable fault responsive means may be provided for eifecting the opening of the circuit breaker I. In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings I provide an overcurrent relay 8, which is connected in series relation with the load circuit 3, for effecting the opening of the circuit breaker I when a fault occurs on the load circuit 3. Associated with the overcurrent relay 8 is a control relay 9 which is arranged to be energized in response to each operation of the overcurrent relay. The relay 9 in turn controls the energizing circuits of the closing coil 6 and the trip coil 1 of the circuit breaker I so that the trip coil 'I is energized in response to the energization of the control relay 9 and the closing coil Scan be energized only when the control relay 9 is deenergized. The energizing circuit of the control relay 9 also includes normally closed contacts of two time relays IO and Il which in turn are controlled by a load circuit voltage relay IZ and the control relay 9 so that the time ,relay II is energized if 'the load circuit voltage is above a predetermined value while the control relay 9 is energzed and the time relay III is energized if the load circuit voltage is below a predetermined value while the control relay 9 is energized. Relays III and I I have different Operating times and preferably the Operating time of relay II is shorter than that of relay IO so that if the 'load circuit voltage is above a predetermined value after the circuit breaker I opens the relay 9 is de-energized to effect areclosure of the circuit breaker I after a shorter time interval than when the load circuit voltage is below said predetermined value.

Relay 9 has associated therewith four control relays 13, M, I5 and |6 which are so connected that the relay I3 is energized in response to the.

first energization of the relay 9; the relay I4 is energized in response to the first de-energization of relay 9; the relay |5 is energized in response to the second energization of the relay 9 and the relay IG is energized in response to the second de-energization of the relay 9. If, during the operation of the control relay 9, the circuit breaker I does not remain closed for a predetermined time or the load circuit voltage does not remain above a predetermined value for a predetermined time, then relay |6 effects the energization of a lock-out relay I'I to prevent further reclosures` of the circuit breaker I if it opens while the control relay IS is energized. The energizing circuits of the control relays I3 to IB, inclusive, and relay I9are controlled by a time relay I8 which is so connected that it causes these five control relays to be restored to their respective normal positions if the circuit br'eaker I remains closed for a predetermined time after any reclosure thereof or the load circuit voltage is restored to normal by the source 4 being reconnected thereto, and remains connected thereto for a predetermined time while the control relay 9 is energized. The control relay I9 is provided for eifecting the operation of the time relay |8 under the last mentioned conditions.

A control switch 20 is provided which, when closed, renders the control arrangement operative. While I have showr the switch 20 as being manually controlled, it is obvious that it may be controlled automatically in any well known manncr examples of which are well known in the art.

The operation of the arrangement shown in the drawings is as follows: When the circuit breaker I is closed, and the generator 2 is supplying current to the load circuit 3 under normal conditions, the various control devices are in the positions in which they are shown in the drawings. When a fault occurs on the load circuit 3, overcurrent relay 8 closes its contacts 2| and completes an energizing circuit for control relay 9 through the contacts 22 of time relay IO and contacts`23 of time relay II. The closing of contacts 2| of control relay 9 completes a shunt circuit around contacts 2I of the overcurrent relay 8 in the energizing circuit of control relay 9.! The closing of contacts 25 of control relay I oompletes an en'ergizing circuit for the trip coil 7 through the auxiliary contacts 28 of the circuit breaker I so that the circuit breaker I opens to disconnect the generator 2 from the load circuit 3. By opening its auxiliary contacts 21, the circuit breaker I interrupts the energizing circuit of the field winding 5 of the generator 2; The closing of the contacts 28 of relay 9 completes an energizing circuit for control relay I3 through contacts 29 of relay IB. By closing its contacts 30 relay H completes a looking circuit for itself around the contacts 28 of control relay 9.

If the fault is of such a character as to cause the generator 4 also to he disconnected from the load circuit 3, or if generator 4 is not in operation at the time, the voltage of the load circuit 3 will deorease to such a value that the voltage relay 82 will close its contacts 3i so that an energizing circuit is completed for the time relay E through contacts 32 of control relay 9 when it becomes energized. If, however, the generator HI is in operation and rerhains connected to the load circuit E, the load circuit voltage does not decrease below the drop-out value of relay i2 so that the closing of the contacts 32 of control reiay ii completes through contacts 33 of relair I2 an eneru gizing circuit for the time relay Ii.

After the circuit breaker i has been openecl for predetermined time interval depending upon whether relay I or 'relay ii is energized, the circuit of the above traced energizing circuit for control relay 9 is interrupted at either contacts 22 of relay iii or the contacts 23 of relay ii so that the control relay 9 hecomes de-energized. The closing of the contacts 34 of control relay il completes an energizing circuit for the closing coil 6 through the auxiliary contacts 35 of the circuit breaker l, contacts of control switch 20 and the contacts 36 of the lock-out relay I'i. The energization of the closng coil 6 causes the circuit breaker i to reclose so that the unexcited generator 2 is connected to the load circuit 3. The closing of the auxiliary contacts 21 of the circuit breaker i recloses the energizing circuit for the field winding so that' the voltage of the generator 2 is restored to its normal value.

The closing of the contacts 38 of relay 9, when it is de-energized to effect the first reclosure of the circuit loreaker I, completes an energizing circuit for the control relay Il through contacts 38 of relay I3 and contacts 29 of relay IB. By closing its contacts 40, the control relay Ii completes a locking circuit for itself through the contacts 29 of relay IB. The opening of the conby closing its contacts 25, energizes the trip coli 1 to open the circuit breaker I so as to disconnect tacts 32 of relay 9, when it is de-energized, in-

to` re-establish the heretofore described energizing circuit of the control relay 8 which in turn,

the generator 2 from the load circuit 2 and the field winding 5 from its source of 'excitation By closing its contacts 2|, the relay 9 again completes the heretofore 'described looking circuit for itself which remains closed until either relay Il or relay II opens it depending upon the voltage conditions of the load circuit 3.

The closing of the contacts 4| of the control relay 9, in response to the second energization of the control relay 9, completes an energizing circuit for relay IS through contacts 42 of relay Il and contacts 25 of relay I8. By closing its contacts 43, relay- IS completes a looking circuit for itself through contacts 29 of relay I8.

After the circuit breaker I has remained open long enough to allow either relay IO or relay II to open its contacts, depending upon the voltage condition of the load circuit 3, the energizing circuit of the control relay 9 is again interrupted so that the relay 9 closes its contacts 34 in the energizing circuit of the closing coil ii to close the circuit breaker I and the field circuit of the generator 2. By closing its contacts 44, the relay 9 completes an energizing circuit for the relay i through contacts '15 of relay and contacts 28 of relay I8. By closing its contacts 45, 'the relay IB completes a looking circuit for itself through the contacts 29 of relay it.

If the faulty condition still exists on the load circuit 3 when the second reclesure of the circuit hreaker i takes place, the overeurrent relay H again effects, in the manner heretofore descrihecl, the energization of the control relay 8 and the opening of the circuit breairer The closing of the contacts 48 of the relay E'i, 'in response to the third energization thereoi, coinpletes an energizing circuit for the lock-out relay il through contacts 49 of relay 56. The energization of the lock-out relay H permanently opens the contacts W in the circuit of lthe ciosing coil IB of the circuit hreaker i so that :further reclosures the circuit hreaker are prevented. Ei'" ciosing its contacts E50, the lock-out relay also completes an en'- ergimng circuit for the trip coil to effect the opening of the circuit breaker i case it should 'oe closed for any reason.

Each time the circuit loreairer i recloses, it oompletes an energizing circuit for the time relay i8 through the auxiliary contacts 52 of the circuit breaker i and the contacts 53 of the control relay W, hut if the fault condition exists when the circuit breaker is reclosed, this energizing circuit for the time relay IB is interrupted atthe aui'riliar,T contacts 52 of the circuit hreaker i before the time relay E8 compietes its timing operation. However, if no fault exists on the load circuit when the circuit breaker i recloses, the above traced circuit for the time relay 18 remains closed for a sufiioient length of time to alloy the relay 28 to operate and open its contacts 29 in the heretofore described looking circuits for the control relays I3-IG, inclusive, and relay I! so that these control relays as well as the time reiay `I8 are restored to their normal posltions.

In case the load circuit voltage decreases below a. predetermined value so that the voltage relay |2 closes its contacts 59 after any opening of the circuit breaker I, an energizing circuit is completed for control relay IQ through contacts 59 of relay I2, contacts of relay 9 and contacts 29 of relay IO. By closing its contacts II, relay IS completes alocking circuit for itself through contacts 2! of relay I8. Therefore, each time the voltage of the load circuit 3 is restored to normal after any opening of the circuit breaker I, the voltage relay I2 closes its contacts 55 and completes through contacts 56 of relay I9 another energizing circuit for the time relay I8. If during the reclosing operation of the circuit breaker I, normal voltage of the load circuit 3 is restored for a period equal to the Operating time of the time relay I8 while the control relay 9 is energized, all of the control devices are immediately restored to their normal Operating positions so as to restart the normal reclosing cycle of Operation.

In some cases it may be desirable to provide a different number of reclosures of the circuit breaker ,I when the load circuit 3 is energized by the source II while the circuit breaker I is open than When the load circuit 3 is de-energized while the circuit breaker i is open. In Fig. 2, I have shown a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. l in which only a single reclosure of the circuit breaker I is effected in case the load circuit 3 is energized by the source Il while the circuit breaker I is open. This result is obtained by connecting in parallel with the winding of the' time relay II the winding of another timerelay 65 which has a shorter Operating time than relay II but a longer Operating time than relay I8. The normally open contacts of the time relay 65 are connected in series with the normally open contacts 61 of the relay II! in a shunt-circuit around the contacts 49 of the relay IG so that, if the voltage of the load circuit 3 remains above the drop-out value of the relay I2 after the circuit breaker I opens in response to the second energlzation ofA the control relay 9,

.a circuit is completed for the lock-out relay Il through contact 61 of relay Id, contact 6B of time relay 65 and contacts 48 of relay 9 to prevent further reclosurcs of the circuit breaker I. However, if the voltage of the load circuit 3 is below the drop-out value of the relay |2 after the circuit breaker I lopens in response to the second energization of the relay 9, a second reclosure Of the circuit breaker I is effected in the manner described in connection with the operation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

Also in some cases it may be desirable to initiate the second reclosure of the circuit breaker I after the elapse of a different time interval than the time interval that elapses between the first Opening and the first reclosure of the circuit breaker I. In Fig. 2, I have also shown a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 whereby in case the voltage of the load circuit remains below the drop-out value of the relay IB after each opening of the circuit breaker the time interval elapsing between the first opening and the first reclosure of the circuit breaker I is shorter than the time interval elapsing between the second opening and the second reclosure. This result is accomplished by providing the relay I with the normally closed contacts 69 which are in the energizing circuit Of the time relay IIi and with the normally open contacts 'IO which are in series with the conclosure if the load circuit voltage is below the applied to a particular system and as embodying various devices diagrammatically indicated, changes and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and I therefore aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination, two electric circuits, a circuit breaker interconneoting said circuits, means for opening said circuit breaker, means for reclosing said circuit breaker after different pre- 4determined denite time intervals, and means responsive to the voltage condition of one of said circuits for selectively Operating said reclosing means.

2. In combination, an electric circuit, a source of current, a circuit breaker interconnecting said source and circuit, fault responsive means for opening said circuit breaker, two timing devices having different Operating times, means for selectively Operating said devices in response to the voltage of said circuit, and means for reclosing said circuit breakerin response to either of said timing devices completing its timing operation.

3. In combination, an electric circuit, a source of current, a circuit breaker interconnecting said source and circuit, fault responsive means for opening said circuit breaker, two timing devices having different Operating times, means controlled by said fault responsive means and the voltage of said load circuit for selectively operating said devices in response to the voltage of said circuit while said circuit breaker is open as a result of the operation of said fault responsive means, and means for reclosing said circuit breaker in response to either of said timing devices completing its timing Operation.

4. In combination, an electric circuit, a source of current, a circuit breaker interconnecting said l circuit and source, means for opening said cirtacts 3I of relay I2 and the winding of a timecuit breaker including a control relay and fault responsive means for effecting the energization of said control relay, a looking circuit for said control relay, a plurality of timing devices having different Operating times and controlling contacts in said looking circuit, means for selectively Operating said timing devices in response to predetermined electrical conditions of saidelectric circuit to operate said contacts in said looking circuit to efiect the de-energization ofl said control relay, and means for reclosing said circuitbreaker in response to the de-energization of said control relay.

5. In combination, an electric circuit, a source of current, a circuit breaker interconnecting said circuit and source, means for opening said circuit breaker including a control relay and fault responsive means for effecting the energization of said control relay, a looking circuit for said control relay, two timing devices having different Operating times and controlling contacts in said looking circuit, means for selectively Operating of current, a circuit breaker interconnecting said circuit and source, means for opening said circuit breaker including a control relay and fault responsive means for effecting the energization' of said control relay, a looking circuit for said control relay, a plurality of timing devices having different Operatingv times and controlling contacts in said looking circuit, means for selectively Operating said timing devices in response to predetermined electrical conditions of said electrio circuit to operate said contaots in said locking circuit to effect the de-energization ofsaid control relay, means for reclosing said circuit breaker in response to the de-energization of said controlrelay, and lock-out means responsive to a predetermined number of energizations of said control relay for preventing further operations of said reclosing means.

'7. In combination, an electric circuit, a source of current, a circuit breaker interconnecting said circuit and source, means for opening said circuit breaker including a control relay and fault responsive means for leffecting the energization of said control relay, a looking circuit for said control relay, two timing devices having different Operating times and controlling contacts in said looking circuit, means for selectively Operating said timing devices in response to predetermined voltage conditions of said load circuit to operate said contacts in said looking circuit to effect the de-energization of said control relay, means for reclosing said circuit breaker in response to the de-energization of said control relay, and lockout means responsive to a predetermined number of energizations of said control rolay for preventing further Operations of said 'reclosing means.

8. In combination, an electric circuit, a source of current, a circuit breaker interconnecting said circuit and source, fault responsive means for opening said circuit breaker, means for reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times with predetermined definite time intervals between each opening and reclosure of said circuit breaker if said circuit breaker remains closed for less than a predetermined time interval after each reclosure and the voltage of said electric circuit is below .a predetermined value after each opening of said circuit breaker, and means for .reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times with predetermined definite time intervals differing from said first mentioned time interval between each opening and reclosure of said circuit breaker if said circuit breaker remalns closed for less than a predetermined time interval after each reclosure and the voltage of said electric circuit is above a predetermined value after each opening of said circuit breaker.

9. In combination, an electric circuit, a source of current, a circuit breaker interconnecting said circuit and source, fault responsive means for opening said circuit breaker, means for reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times with predetermined definite time intervals between each opening and reclosure of said circuit breaker if said circuit breaker remains closed for less than a predetermined time said electric circuit is below a predetermined value after each opening of said circuit breaker, means for reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times with predetermined definite time intervals difiering from said first mentioned time interval between each opening and reclosure of said circuit breaker if said circuit breaker remains closed for less than a predetermined time interval after each reclosure and the voltage of said electric circuit is above a predetermined value after each opening of said circuit, breaker, and means for restoring said reclosing means to their respective normal conditions in response to said circuit breaker remaining in its closed position for a predetermined time after any reclosure thereof.

10. In combination, an electric circuit, a source of current, a circuit breaker interconnecting said circuit and source, fault responsive means for opening said circuit breaker, means for reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times With predetermined definite time intervals between each opening and reclosure of said circuit breaker if said circuit breaker remains closed for lessthan a predetermined time interval after each reclosure and the voltage of said electric circuit is below a predetermined value after each opening of said circuit breaker, means for reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times with predetermined definite time .intervals dffering from said first mentionedvtime interval between each opening and reclosure of said circuit bi'eaker if said circuit breaker remains closed for less than a predetermined time interval after each reclosure and the voltage of said electric circuit is above a predetermined value after each opening of said circuit breaker, and means for restoring said first mentioned reclosing means to its normal condition and for initiating the operation of said second mentioned reclosing means in response to the voltage of said load circuit being restored to a predetermined value for a predetermined time interval while said first mentioned reclosing means is in operation. i

11. In combination, two electric circuits, a cir- 'cu't breaker interconnecting said circuits, means for opening said circuit breaker, means responsive to a predetermined voltage condition of one lof said circuits While said circuit breaker is open for reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times with predetermined definite time intervals between each opening and interval after each reciosureand the voltage of reclosure and responsive to another predetermined voltage condition of said one of said circuits while said circuit breaker is open for reclozing said circuit breaker a different predetermincd number oftimes with predetermined definite time intervals between each opening and reclosure.

12. In combinaiion, two electric circuits, a circuit breaker interconnecting said circuits, means for opening said circuit breaker, and means responsive to the voltagev of one of said oirouits being above a predetermined value While said circuit breaker is open for reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times with predetermined definite time intervals between each opening and reclosure and responsive to the `voltage of said one of said circuits being below said predetermined value while said circuit breaker is open for reclosing said circuit breaker a different predetermined number of times with predetermined definite time intervals between each opening and reclosure.

cuit breaker interconnecting said cirouits, means,

for opening said circuit breaker, and means responsive to the voltage of one of said circuits being above a predetermined value while said circuit breaker is open for reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times and responsive to the voltage of said one of said circuits being below a predetermined value while said circuit breaker is open for reclosing said circuit breaker a different predetermined number of times.

15; In combination, two electric circuits, a circuit breaker interconnecting said circuits, means for opening said circuit breakeru and means responsive to a predetermined voltage condition of one of said circuits while said circuit breaker is open for reclosing said circuit breaker a predetermined number of times with'predetermined deflnite time intervals between each opening and reclosure and responsive to another predetermined voltage condition of said one of said circuits while said circuit breaker is open for reclosing said circuit breaker a. different predetermined number of times with predetermined different deflnite time intervalls between the openings and reclosures.

16. In combination, two electric circuits, a circuit breaker interconnecting said oircuits. means for opening said circuit breaker. means for reclosing said circuit breaker different predetermined numbers of times, and means responsive to the voltage of one of said circuits while said circuit breaker is open for selectively Operating said reclosing means.

- I'IERMAN BANY. 

